Carlton Cum'arah Khem Bronner

Carlton Cum’arah Khem Bronner was born to the late Reverend Claude Lee (Sr) and Christina Fannie Marie McKnight Bronner on November 10, 1938, in Trenton, New Jersey – 9th of 15 children. Carl may have begun his education in Trenton Public Schools, but his learnings were lifelong both through schooling and worldly life experiences. In 1955, Carl joined the US Navy, completed 4 years of service, then continued as Yeoman Petty Officer through 1962. His formal education continued when he attended North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC), where he received Bachelor degrees in Political Science and History. Carl also holds a Masters degree in Education from University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN), a Virginia Postgraduate Professional License for Secondary School Principal, and FCPS School-Based Management Training Certificate. Although great achievements, he considered these only a fraction of his ongoing education; he sought out and imparted knowledge unceasingly. Unknown to many, Carl had many hidden talents such as entertaining family and friends with his rich tenor voice. As a member of The Vines in the early 1960s, Carl wrote and sang the song “Love So Sweet,” for which he holds a United States copyright. He also had a host of other jobs since childhood – everything from haberdashery apprentice to print shop operator & instructor to insurance adjuster to landlord. In fact, Carl met Connie, his wife of over 50 years, while running the print shop at nearby Shaw University (Raleigh, NC) where she attended college. Carl served as public school educator and administrator in Fairfax County, VA, until his retirement in 2000. Among his many education-related functions: middle school teacher of History, World Civilizations & Social Studies, middle school assistant principal, and lecturer in Ancient East African Histories. Carl lectured extensively throughout the Washington, DC metro area as well as in North Carolina. Carl has authored and published 2 books – Black Africans: From the Cradle of Mankind to Terence (1995) and An Art Collection of Carl Cum’arah K. Bronner: Five Thousand Years of African Kings & Queens – A Reference Guide (2018). His last book, a work of his memoirs and personal evolutionary journey, will be published posthumously. In his retirement years, Carl used his time to continue to improve his community and society as a whole. Throughout his adult life, Carl took seriously his civic duties & responsibilities by corresponding regularly with political and organizational representatives, especially relating to educational & equality issues. He developed even a larger appetite for learning and being enlightened by the natural and social sciences. He spent many an hour researching and teaching how the cosmos (stars, suns, planets) intersects with our human existence and history. These ongoing studies continued to quench his never-ending thirst for knowledge and understanding. Carl has left his legacy and strength in the hands on his wife, Constance Bronner, and two (2) daughters – Melecia Bronner and Kimberly Bronner, and granddaughter Jordynne – all of Atlanta, GA. He is survived by three (3) brothers, Bishop Nathaniel Bronner of Bensalem, PA; Reverend Mishael “Mitch” (Faye) Bronner of Ocala, FL; and Amos (Audrey) Bronner of San Antonio, TX; and 1 sister, Melvina Ridley of Suffolk, VA; sister-in-law Otelia Barnwell of New Bern, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear comrades. “Husband, Father, Grandfather…Historian, Educator, Eternal Student of the Cosmos”

Tributes

Carlton Cum'arah Khem Bronner

November 10, 1938 - November 29, 2019